About Us

Little is known about the history of the property (second building to the right).

It was first built in the early 18th century in Fortlands, how the area is called still to these days. This region was developed by the French for the private homes of the upper society of Basseterre.

In the course of the last 50 years, there are still quite a few of private homes, still owned by descendants of the former sugar cane plantation owners, after the plantations were taken over by the Government of St.Kitts

3d building era:

Only 7 years ago, the new owners - he a businessman of Kittitian heritage, she an arts & crafts teacher from Switzerland- transformed the property completely.

In the first step the house, without changing the structure much, got a completely new look, displaying

her love for Mediterranean architecture and landscaping. His love for beautiful splendor mirrors in the spectacular swimming pool, the statues, fountains, benches, a vintage 1978 Silver Shadow Rolls Royce and the music installed all around the property.

Where the vegetable patch used to be before, a beautiful wooden cottage was built, remembering of Claudia's Swiss roots. In the meantime it is the home and production site of Shell Works St.Kitts, founded and run by Claudia.

The last additions to the property were a side patio with strong Moroccan influences and the Shell Works Gift Boutique just around the corner:

Entrance to the Shell works Boutique.

2nd building era:

Fifty years ago, the old colonial wood structure had to make space for a new contemporary concrete structure.

The new owners were the Royal Bank of Canada, using the property as temporary homes for their bank managers.

It is a bank's habit that the managers are rotated to other islands after a stay of about 4 years. Due to this custom, the property and especially it's garden didn't get the proper attention as it gets nowadays from it's new owners.